Coating and method for producing resistant and insulated pipeline structures

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire-retardant material and method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an insulating, fire-retardant coating (and method) that shields underlying substrates from thermal and other types of insult. The invented coating is especially applicable to energy transport means including oil pipelines. The invented coating and method is also useful in providing a insulating and fire-resistant coating for a variety of substrates including but not limited to: concrete, metals, foamed polymeric materials (i.e. styrofoam), gypsum, synthetics and other substrates.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]The present invention is a Continuation-In-Part Application of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 156,395, filed Jun. 20, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,290, by instant inventor, which is a Continuation-In-Part Application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 818,268 filed Apr. 5, 2004, by instant inventor now abandoned, which is a Continuation-In-Part Application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 338,425 filed Jan. 8, 2003 by instant inventor now U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,495, which in turn is a Divisional Application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 602,067, filed on Jun. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,821, issued on Mar. 18, 2003, and any other applications and / or patents in this line, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to a fire-retardant material and method...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention relates to a fire-resistant coating and method thereof, which confers enhanced insulating and flame / heat resistance to various substrates and materials. Exemplary materials include steel, various ferrous and non-ferrous metals, woods, gypsums, composites of wood and cellulose, concrete, mortars, and synthetic products, including plastics, paper and carbon composites. The present invention is especially well suited for coating energy pipelines, and building materials.

[0009]The present invention provides a light-weight formulation to coat building materials. A feature of the formulation is that it thermally insulates pipelines, building materials, and other substrates from fluids having high temperatures. An advantage of the insulating layer(s) is that it provides superior insulative values with only a thin coat. An advantage of at least one embodiment of the fire-retardant layer is that it provides superior thermal and flame protection, (as well as structural strength) at a cost effective price and with use of a very thin coating.

[0010]An advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an insulative layer as well as a ceramic-based fire-retardant coating which can be use to impart thermal, insulative and structural integrity to an underlying substrate. A feature of one embodiment of the ceramic-based film is its ability to impart structural rigidity to the substrate while also increasing heat and flame resistance.

Problems solved by technology

Pipelines must also contend with potentially challenging conditions resulting from the dangerous contents flowing through their networks.

However, too often these coating methods are inadequate at providing fire-retardancy or insulation, are too expensive, or have some other shortcoming.